I may be wrong but in that article I dont think it says that a smaller displacement engine would bring the turbo on faster. I think it is just a crude guestimation at to what turbo would suit the 4a motors displacement and rev capability.
For instance I put a ct20 on thinking that it came off a 1.8L 3tgte so it should have the flow capability. WRONG
So I went the other way and got a turbo off a vg30 thinkin 3L motor heaps of flow Came on boost at 4000rpm bit laggy.So i had that modified with a back cut wheel and a godzilla exhaust housing and now boost comes on full tilt at 3000rpm.
What Im trying to say that two turbos made for the same motor even by two different companys could have complete different flow caracteristics.So just choose one that can flow the exhaust volume with good response rate and see.But i may be wrong...